November Faculty and Staff Features

Samy El-Shall, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Humanities and Sciences

El-Shall was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society for his pioneering contributions to the fields of ion-induced nucleation, ion mobility, thermochemistry and structures of molecular cluster ions, gas phase cluster polymerization, nanostructured materials and nanocatalysis.

El-Shall has developed a vigorous interdisciplinary research program at VCU centered on nanoscience and nanotechnology; taught and guided the research of students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting scientists from numerous countries; promoted scientific collaboration between scientists from different parts of the world through the execution of six international research projects; organized 12 international conferences or workshops; and served on numerous international panels. He is a 2012-2013 Jefferson Science Fellow at the U.S. Department of State.

The American Physical Society is a nonprofit membership organization working to advance and diffuse the knowledge of physics through journals and education, outreach, advocacy and international activities.

Yan Jin, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Interim Director, School of Mass Communications, College of Humanities and Sciences

Jin recently presented at two international public relations conferences. In October, she spoke at the PRSA International Conference in San Francisco about her research in strategic PR management. Earlier this month, she presented a leadership development seminar at the Plank Center Leadership Summit in Chicago, for which she also participated in an in-depth global research project examining cross-cultural leadership in PR and communications management.

Jin has been with VCU since 2005. She is the author of more than 100 book chapters, journal articles and convention papers, including seven top paper awards at national and international conferences. She was the 2008 recipient of the Excellence in Research Award from the VCU College of Humanities and Sciences and a two-time recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Award from the Student Advisory Board of the School of Mass Communications in 2008 and 2010.

Arun Sanyal, M.D., Professor and Chair, Division of Gastroenterology

Sanyal is the recipient of this year’s Ranbaxy Research Award in the field of Medical Sciences – Clinical Research.

Sanyal is well-known nationally and internationally for his highly productive work in non-alcoholic liver disease, for which he holds numerous research grants. He also is a highly accomplished mentor and teacher, currently mentoring the careers of several K scholars as well as serving as principal investigator on an NIH-funded T32 training grant in digestive disorders at VCU.
Ranbaxy Foundation is funded by Ranbaxy Corporation and works with the Indian government to promote research and science in India.  They provide awards in several categories each year, which are presented by the vice president of India at a function in New Delhi. Sanyal will receive his award in February.

Mark H. Crosthwaite, Associate Professor, Radiologic Technology, VCU School of Allied Health

Crosthwaite, associate professor and program director of nuclear medicine technology in the Department of Radiation Sciences, recently returned from Kuwait, where he attended the annual Kuwait Cancer Control Center two-day seminar. Crosthwaite was invited to serve on an international panel as a subject matter expert to discuss the use and benefits of PET-CT (positron emission tomography-computed tomography) – a medical imaging technique used to diagnose diseases, such as cancer. Crosthwaite is a long-time member of the Nuclear Medicine Technology Certification Board. 

Ramana M. Pidaparti, Ph.D., Professor, Mechanical Engineering, School of Engineering

Pidaparti is one of 100 international aeronautics leaders recently elected as Fellows of the Royal Aeronautical Society – the highest level attainable in the organization dedicated to the advancement of aeronautics and aerospace.  

“I am deeply thrilled to receive such a distinguished honor,” said Pidaparti. “Thanks to all my teachers, mentors and students for helping me to achieve this recognition. It provides me with opportunities to explore further to advance aerospace research and education and contribute to the society.”  

Pidiparti’s research interests include design innovation through arts, computational mechanics applications to aerospace, biomedical and computer science, micro-nanotechnology, fatigue and fracture, biological composites and design engineering.

The recipient of various awards, Pidaparti has published more than 140 journal publications and about 130 conference proceedings.  

Pidaparti earned his doctorate degree in aeronautics and astronautics from Purdue University, a master’s degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, a master’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Indian Institute of Science and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Andhra University in India.

Daniel R. Longo, Sc.D., Department of Family Medicine/VCU School of Medicine

Longo, professor, senior investigator and special assistant to the chair of the Department of Family Medicine, and research director emeritus, has been appointed to serve as chair of one of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute’s (PCORI’s) first application review panels (study sections), which are scheduled to be held in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 13 and 14.

PCORI is authorized by Congress to conduct research to provide information about the best available evidence to help patients and their health care providers make more informed decisions. PCORI’s research is intended to give patients a better understanding of the prevention, treatment and care options available and the science that supports those options. PCORI is developing research methods that support the engagement and meaningful inclusion of patients at every step of the research process.

Longo’s knowledge and experience will be of great value to have in the committee’s leadership at an early and critical point in PCORI’s evolution.

PCORI has developed review criteria that place increased emphasis on the likelihood that the research will change patient and clinician practices by providing badly needed evidence, on the importance of studying and looking for effectiveness differences in diverse populations and on the inclusion of patients and other stakeholders on the research team. Interpreting and applying these criteria meaningfully in the inaugural review panels will be essential if PCORI’s research is to make a difference in patients’ lives.

PCORI is funded through the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund (PCORTF), which was authorized by Congress as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 and receives income from two funding streams: the general fund of the U.S. Treasury and a small fee assessed on Medicare, private health insurance and self-insured plans. PCORI is expected to receive an estimated $3.5 billion from the PCORTF to fund patient-centered outcomes research through September 30, 2019, the date through which the act authorizes it to remain in operation. For more information on PCORI, visit www.pcori.org.